To cut to the chase: I don't think most supporters want the troublemakers in the ground, but neither can I claim to speak for everyone. My feeling comes from what happened when the UBs staged that walk-out protest and the boos that followed. Truth is, the club, the stewards and the police all share part of the problem, and nothing really changes because of the tricky balance of power and money.
Who's really in charge? The stewards and the club manage the stadium day-to-day, but they don't have the same powers as the police when it comes to lifting bans or making arrests. That creates a gap. If the police are reluctant to take an active role inside the ground, incidents go unpunished and the same small group can keep pushing the limits. You can see why supporters get frustrated — it feels like a rotating game of pass-the-buck while the nuisance continues.
The club's dilemma is obvious. On one hand they have a duty to act against those who break the law or bring the club into disrepute. On the other hand there’s the awkward reality that certain fans contribute significantly to the matchday atmosphere and, yes, sometimes to funding projects. To be fair, no board wants to risk alienating donors or a loud section of the support — but letting things slide isn't sustainable either.
So what changes things? I agree with the view that it might take something external — a meaningful UEFA sanction, a stand closure or a fine that bites — to move opinion and force tougher action from the club and policing authorities. Once it hits the club in the pocket, priorities shift quickly. Until then, we get the same arguments and very little decisive action.
In the end, fans who care about the club's reputation need to keep the pressure up. Otherwise the status quo remains, and that helps nobody.
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